Re: [IceHorses] icelandic trainers

[pyramid]

On Wed, Mar 12, 2008 at 11:48:47AM -0500, Judy Ryder wrote:
> Thanks for your input and hope you can provide video for us to see
> some of their current work.

this letter clarifies for me considerably what you will and not accept
as evidence (formally speaking, your epistemology).  thanks for that; it
is good to know.

if we do end up going back to gudmar, i will ask permission, blow a few hundred 
bucks, and gudmar willing collect some data you will accept.

--vicka

Re: [IceHorses] icelandic trainers

[pyramid]

oh, and this thread reminds me -- would video of ebba teaching me (once
the weather doesn't suck) count as "icelandic trainer work" (cuz she's
icelandic and my instructor) or not (because she's not a "big name" and
does not give clinics or show)?

--vicka

Re: [IceHorses] icelandic trainers

[Judy Ryder]

>>>You seem very firmly against their work Judy and I respect your
point of view.

You could possibly change my mind by providing video of their work.
Other than that, all I have is first-hand experience, what I've seen,
what I've heard from others who understand horsemanship, and what we
have seen so far in videos and pictures.

How about the picture of Sigrun on her icetolt promotion?  Is that soft hands?

Sometimes unless we see something comparatively, we don't realize that
it isn't what it seems to be :-).

Thanks for your input and hope you can provide video for us to see
some of their current work.

Judy

Re: [IceHorses] icelandic trainers

[Susan Peters]

I did not know this list was exclusively for natural horsemanship and thought 
it was for general discussion on all matters regarding icelandic horses.  I 
apologize if I have the wrong impression.
   
  As for Gudmar and Sigrun and mechanical aids, anything from a crop to a bit 
to how you balance your weight to overindulgence in horse treats can be abusive 
to the animal if used in a way that is not in the horse's best interests.  Both 
Sigrun and Gudmar train their riders to have very soft hands, use the seat and 
balance optimally and mostly to work on areas of stiffness in the horses back 
and head.  But as with any trainer, it is very important to understand the 
method and take away from it what works for you and develop your own style.  
You seem very firmly against their work Judy and I respect your point of view.  
But my experience with both of them has been that their training style is not 
harsh at all and is focussed on ensuring that the rider and the horse work well 
together.
  
  Many thanks,
   
  Susan